Comcare outlines downtown crisis center expansion, estimates construction cost rise to about $22–23 million

Jennifer Wilson, director of crisis services for Sedgwick County Comcare, told commissioners at a Jan. 21 staff meeting that the county plans to consolidate and expand community crisis services at a newly acquired downtown site adjacent to the Wichita BioMed Center and that estimates for the project have risen above the original budget.

Comcare’s proposal would combine existing North Main and Morris Place operations into a single facility designed to provide a broad crisis continuum: 988 call handling, mobile crisis teams, a 23‑hour observation area, expanded stabilization beds, sobering and detox services, inpatient coordination and assisted outpatient treatment. Wilson said the county intends to upgrade the licensing classification toward a “crisis intervention center” model that can be an alternative to state hospitalization.

Andrew Dilts, Sedgwick County facilities director, said the county purchased the Landon building on the BioMed block and that the current approved capital improvement plan (CIP) authorization is “just over $15,000,000,” but construction‑time cost estimates are now running closer to the low‑to‑mid $22 million range; county staff said the CIP authorization will be amended after bids are received. Dilts said construction documents were expected late February–early March with bidding planned for mid to late March and an estimated completion in summer–fall 2026.

Consultants from Helix Architecture described a modest north‑side addition and interior reconfiguration to gain patient lobby space, a secured separate entry for the crisis intervention center portion, staff areas on the second floor, a generator to back up patient areas and the call center, and interior finishes designed to reduce stress for patients and staff. The design also anticipates shared opportunities with the adjacent Wichita BioMed campus for student placements and training.

Wilson described service expansions the plan would seek to deliver: increasing observation “recliners” from 6 to 8, raising stabilization beds from 6 to 7, increasing sobering beds from 8 to 10 and expanding social detox beds from 15 to 26; the center would continue to offer mobile crisis response (Comcare reported eight full‑time mobile teams). She said medical detox is not currently provided on site and Comcare is working with partners (including the Substance Abuse Center of Kansas) and KDADS to align funding and providers for medical detox services.

On financing, County staff said the project is currently planned to be bond‑funded, with debt service repaid from property tax debt service funds; the CIP also contains cash transferred from prior year end balances to reduce the needed bond issuance. County staff said they are exploring whether up to about half of future debt service might be covered by CCBHC or other state revenues, but said that amount is not yet certain and would require state approval and further costing work. The county reported paying roughly $5.4 million (corrected figure discussed at the meeting) for the land and building acquisition; the total project cost estimate cited at the meeting was roughly $22.2–23 million.

Commissioners raised security, staffing and cost‑control questions. One commissioner asked about exterior cameras and lighting; staff said cameras and a secure vestibule will be included and that the sheriff’s office had reviewed the schematic design. Commissioners asked for staffing plans and for clarity on what will happen to the buildings the county will vacate once services move into the new facility.

No formal vote occurred at the meeting; staff said a CIP amendment and final contract will return for commission action after the project is bid and costs are firm. County staff urged that bond sizing and any use of CCBHC funding be confirmed during future budget and financing steps.